City warns: 'Don't feed the bears'

The city of Whitefish is warning folks not to feed the bears.

The warning comes after Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials were recently forced to euthanize a grizzly bear in the Whitefish area that had become food-conditioned.

Residents who live north of the railroad tracks must secure their garbage containers in an area that is not accessible to bears. The city notes that containers are only to be taken to the street for collection no earlier than 4 a.m. the day of collections and must be returned to the secure area no later than 7 p.m. the same day. Violations face a fine up to $500.

Additionally, residents are encouraged to keep pet food and bird feeders out of bear reach and keep yards free of fruit and vegetables as those attract bears also.

“By no means should anyone attempt to feed bears,” Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial said in a release. “Bears who frequent inhabited areas are usually euthanized. Let’s respect the bears and keep our community safe.”

Bear proof containers are available by contacting public works at 863-2456.

On Sept. 5, FWP personnel captured and euthanized a subadult male grizzly bear near Whitefish. FWP received numerous reports of the bear over the course of several weeks.

Due to a history and food-conditioned behavior, the decision was made to remove the bear and it was taken to a veterinary clinic and euthanized.

The grizzly bear was captured along the Stillwater River, southwest of Whitefish near the KM Ranch Road. The bear had been moved in July from the Lincoln area into the Coal Creek Drainage of the Whitefish Range north of Columbia Falls.

Over the course of a month, the bear crossed the Whitefish Divide and traveled along the Stillwater River between Lupfer Meadows and Lost Creek. The 238-pound male grizzly was getting into livestock feed, pet food, garbage, bird feeders and apples.